ProjectS

Sponsor: NOAA

The Gulf-Coast – Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP) is dedicated to being a pioneering center at the University of South Alabama, spearheading advancements in the field of identifying and managing waste plastic marine debris along the Gulf Coast. Our primary goal is to catalyze a paradigm shift in research, focusing on the development of innovative techniques and tools to effectively mitigate and prevent the presence of microplastics in wastewater treatment facilities and water bodies in the Gulf of Mexico. Together, with a shared commitment to excellence, GC-CAMP will lead the way in confronting the challenges posed by microplastics, making a positive and lasting impact on the Gulf Coast and beyond. 

Link: https://sites.google.com/southalabama.edu/gc-camp/home 

Sponsors: Walton County Public Works, Sripath Technologies, LLC

Utilizing 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) presents a challenge. However, with the aid of a rejuvenator, cold mix asphalt using 100% RAP offers a feasible solution for low-volume roads. We will assist Sripath and Walton County in better understanding the material properties and performance of 100% regenerated RAP cold mix through a forensic evaluation. The results will reveal performance expectations and identify any potential areas for product optimization. In addition, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission will be analyzed to further quantify the environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness. 

Sponsor: NIST

This project focuses on the development and integration of an industry-ready curriculum for plastics circularity within four departments at the University of South Alabama. The project team consists of experts from diverse fields including plastics recycling and sustainability, polymer characterization, chemistry, systems engineering, and curriculum design. Throughout the project, close collaboration will be maintained with an industry advisory board to ensure the curriculum’s relevance and alignment with industry needs. The team will adopt Bloom's Taxonomy, a widely recognized framework that organizes cognitive skills into a hierarchical structure, to guide the curriculum development process. By its implementation and continuation, this project is expected to advance the development of coursework and hands-on training resources in polymer measurement methods, manufacturing, and systems thinking, while also fostering a skilled workforce and contributing to the growth and expansion of circular domestic plastics industries. 

Sponsor: Alabama Department of Transportation

The objectives of this research include: (1) Review and assess the current concrete pavement design method with respect to selection of reliability and terminal serviceability; (2) Evaluate the cost effectiveness of a wider slab (13’-14’) and non-tied concrete shoulder vs a 12’ slab and tied concrete shoulder; and (3) Should ALDOT adopt the 1998 Supplement to the AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures Part II, Rigid Pavement Design & Rigid Pavement Joint Design. If yes, a spreadsheet to perform said calculations will be provided to ALDOT.

Sponsor: EPA

The Solid Waste Sustainability Hub is dedicated to exploring sustainable and innovative solutions for managing a range of solid wastes, including plastics and glass. Our mission involves offering training programs for college students, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, repurposing, waste reduction, recycling, and a reevaluation of existing practices. Additionally, we actively engage in diverse outreach initiatives, connecting with K-12 schools to educate, research, and serve in the cause of environmental protection.

Link: https://sites.google.com/southalabama.edu/solid-waste-sustainability-hub 

Sponsor: Blacklidge Emulsion Inc. 

Utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) at lower production temperature is a sustainable technology in asphalt industry. This study provides a forensic evaluation on a low volume road in Florida that used 100% RAP cold mix with a rejuvenator. Two field distress surveys were completed after 7 and 22 months of service, and the effect of staged construction and edge compaction on the road conditions were evaluated. Alongside the field survey, the asphalt mixture properties were analyzed in terms of field cores’ volumetric properties, Cantabro loss, Hamburg Wheel Tracking, indirect tensile resilient modulus, and fracture tests.

Sponsor: SURF Program

Areas near a coast are often prone to seawater flooding.  The main constituent of seawater is sodium chloride. Regions along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico vary in saline concentration depending mostly on whether the main source of water is fresh, mixed, or from the sea. This study is aimed at evaluating the rheological properties of PG 67-22 grade asphalt binder after being soaked in saline solutions of 0%,1%, and 3% NaCl.  Additionally, samples were soaked in water obtained from the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida.  All samples were soaked and tested after 1day, 7days, 15days, and 30 days.  For each sample, one gram of asphalt binder was measured and put into a Universal Simple Aging Test (USAT) plate. The USAT plate was 1mm in depth. Testing was performed with a DSR. These tests were, performance grading, Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR), frequency sweep, and Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS).

Sponsor: SURF Program, Mobile Recycling Center

With an increasing desire to increase the stability of pavement, recycled materials have been incorporated into asphalt pavement to save construction material cost and reduce environmental burden. As recycled glass is one of top ten waste materials in landfilled municipal solid waste, it may be considered as an alternative to replace conventional aggregate used in asphalt pavement. This is due to its high stability and resistance to abrasion. Previous studies have demonstrated the possibility of crushed waste glass in pavement as long as it is mixed properly and meets the roadway pavement standards. Generally, 10-20% waste glasses are used to substitute for virgin aggregate. However, there exists several technical challenges that may hinder the use of glass in pavement. Weak bonding was found in the recycled glass asphalt mixture, resulting in stripping (moisture damage) occurring. One of the key questions is whether or not waste glass can be effectively used for the pavement industry locally. Therefore, this study will provide such performance evaluation with regard to cracking, rutting, and moisture resistance that an asphalt pavement should have.

Sponsor: SURF Program, Mobile Recycling Center

This study examines the feasibility of incorporating plastic waste, i.e. high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into asphalt pavement, particularly on the performance of open-graded friction courses (OGFC). The design of experiment included asphalt binders characterization using rotational viscometer and dynamic shear rheometer and asphalt mixture testing in terms of interconnected air voids and durability. Six OGFC cylindrical specimens from an Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) approved job mix formula were prepared in the asphalt lab, in which 2 contained 0% HDPE (control), 2 contained 2% HDPE by weight of binder, and 2 contained 4% HDPE by weight of binder. The results showed that interconnected air voids for 0% HDPE was 16.8%, 14.7% for mixes containing 2% HDPE modified PG 67-22 asphalt binder, and 14.2% for mixtures containing 4% HDPE modified PG 67-22 asphalt binder. Percentage loss for OGFC mixes containing 0% HDPE (PG 76-22 asphalt binder) was 29.58% , 39.89% for mixes containing 2% HDPE modified PG 67-22 asphalt binder, and 43.66% for mixes containing 4% HDPE modified PG 67-22 asphalt binder. It is recommended that the OGFC is directly analyzed for drainage characteristics in future study. It is recommended that HDPE be incorporated into the asphalt binder in a powder form in future study to prevent agglomeration of the larger size plastic particles and ensure uniform disbursement in the binder. It is also recommended not to utilize a heater while shear mixing HDPE and asphalt binder, because of the increased amount of aging that the binder is being exposed to.